episode 202: how footwear affects posture, alignment and …€¦ · feet don't necessarily...

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Episode202:HowFootwearAffectsPosture,

AlignmentandMovementWithGordonHayFromAline


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Child:WelcometomyMommy’spodcast.

ThispodcastisbroughttoyoubySteadyMD,thenewandrevolutionarywayIworkwithmyprimarycaredoctor.Weliveinatimewheneverythingcanbedeliveredtoyourdoor:packagesfromAmazon,yourgroceries,heckevenmassagetherapistscancometoyourhousenow.Sowhyarewestillallgoingtothedoctorandwaitinghourstoseeadoctorwhenwecanhaveourprimarycaredoctoravailableviaphoneandvideochatanytimewewant.I'mnotwaitinganymore!See,lastyear,IstartedworkingwithSteadyMD,whichislikehavinganoldschoolcountrydoctorwhocanvisityourhouse,butinstead,theyareavailableviatextorvideochatwheneverneededinstead.Andyou’reworkingwithaprimarycaredoctorwhoknowsyouandyourmedicalhistory,notsomerandomdoctorthatyougetassignedtothroughaTeledocservice.Iusethisallthetime,especiallywiththeirnewpediatricadd-onbecauseIcantextapicturewhenoneofmykidsgetacutorabeestingtoseeifitneedsmedicalattentionwithouthavingtositinurgentcare.IcanrequestlabswheneverIwantthem,andIfeelliketheyaretrulyapartnerinmyheath,andIcanbeapartnerinmyhealth,notjustanonlooker.Ibelievethatrelationshipslikethistrulyarethefutureofhealthandyoucanlearnmoreorfindadocwhomeetsyourneedsbygoingtowww.steadymd.com/WM.

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Katie:Hello,andwelcometo"TheWellnessMamaPodcast."I'mKatiefromwellnessmama.com.Andtoday'sepisodeisgoingtobefascinating,especiallyifyouareamombecausewe'regonnatalkallaboutalignmentandfoothealth.AndyouguysknowthatI'vebeenonthekindoflikebarefootbandwagonforaverylongtime.Buttoday'sexperthasalotofreallyfascinatingresearchandinformationaboutthewaythatwecanproperlysupportourfeet.Anditturnsoutmaybebarefootisnotalwaysthewaytogo.I'mherewithGordonHay,whoisthecofounder,inventor,andcreativevisionaryforALINESystems.ImethimrecentlyatPaleof(x),andmyhusbandactuallyintroducedus.Hehadfoundhimandwasfascinatedbythesystemandwaslike"Youhavetocomeseethis."Basically,Gordonhasover20yearsofinvention,patent,andproductionexperiencewiththesetypesoftechnologies.AndhisnewcompanyALINE...ornotnew,buthiscompanyALINEhasbecometheproviderofESPNSummerandWinterX-Games,andtheyalsohave...aswellasfortheworld-renownededucationandsportstraininginstituteIMGAcademy.Superfascinatingtechnology.Gordon,welcomeandthanksforbeinghere.


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Gordon:Katie,it'sgreattobehere,thankyouforhavingme.Katie:Youaresowelcome,IthinkthisisgonnabefascinatingbecauselikeIsaid,youkindofopenedmymindtoadifferentideawhenitcomestohowweshouldactuallyproperlysupportourfoot.AndIactuallycompletelyagreewithyou,Ithinkthatthetwoideasarecompletelysimpatico,butyoureallybroughtsomenewresearchtothetable.AndIcan'twaittodelveintoittoday,butIwannastartbroadspectrumandthendialdown.So,whenitcomestofeet,it'seasylikeanypartofthebody,tothinkofitinisolation,andpeoplethinklikefeetdon'tnecessarilyaffecttherestofthebody.Butfromyourresearch,Iknowthatyouhavealotofinfoaboutthis,andI'dloveifwecouldstartwith,howdoeshavingunfavorablebio-mechanicsorunfavorablealignmentinthefeet,affecttheentirebody?Gordon:Well,youknow,hopefully,thefirstthingtohitthegroundinthemorningareyourfeet,andthelastthingtoleavethegroundatnightareyourfeet,they'rekindofimportant.Andwhenyoureallythinkaboutfeetit'sacomplicatedpuzzle,there'sover100movingbonesandjointsinyourfeet.Andwhenyoumovetoday,inallourunnaturalterrain,we'llcallitaconcretejungleoutthere,yourfeetaresoimportanttotransition.So,it'sallabouttimingandsequenceofhowyourfeetactuallymove.So,whenyoulookatfeetwithover100movingbonesandjoints,theydonothaveoneshapeinmotion,theychangeineverynanosecond.So,peoplecometomeandsay,"Wow,greatbarefoot,I'lljustgobarefoot."No,thinkaboutit,abarefoothittingconcrete,hardtile,hardwood,allthisdisablesfootfunction,itcompensates,it'snotnatural.Weevolveforagazillionyears,andthenjustinashortwhilewemadeaconcretejungleoutthere,wepavedourworldover.Andthere'sasphalt,concrete,hardfloorseverywhere,andit'smorethenorm.Andmostpeopleareinterfacingthatwithshoes.Andfootwearis...normallythey'reapileofmarshmallowsoffoamtoday,orcertainmaterialsthatallofwhichdisablefootfunction.So,wegotabigproblem.Katie:Yeah,I'm100%onboardwithyou,becausethatwasthekeytomethatmadesense.Becauseatfirst,I'lladmitwhenmyhusbandwaslike"Youhavetocomemeetthisinsoleguy,"IwaslikeIdon'tdoinsoles,becauseI'mbarefootallthetime,andIdon'tlikeinsoles,andwhydoweevenneedshoes?Butwhenyouexplainitfromtheconcreteside,thatmakesperfectsense,becauseforthelast,youknow,thousandsandthousandsofyears,peopleweren'twalkingonlikeyousaid,ahard,flatsurfaceallthetime.AndIdon'tdothosethingsnow,butIknowmanypeopledo.So,likefrommyperspectiverightnowI'mrecordingthispodcastwithyou,I'mstandingatastand-updesk,andIhaveafewthingsthatIalternatebetween.Ican'treallydoatreadmillwhileI'mtalking,butIdolikea...wellit'saseatcushionthat'snormallylikeamemoryfromseatcushion,butIstandonit.AndthenIalternatethatwithlikeariverrockmatthat'smadeoutofrocks.So,atleastthefootisrespondingtodifferentthings,thenIalsohaveabalanceboard.ButIknowmostpeoplearewearingorwalkingonhardsurfacesallday,andIknowfromliketheconferencewewerebothat,that'sveryfatiguingforthefeettowalklikethat.Andlikeyousaid,peoplehaven'tbeenlivinginthisconcretejungleforallofhistory,andI'dlovetotalkbeforewemoveontowhattodoaboutit.Likeforthosewithkidsespeciallywhatisanidealsituationwhenitcomestokidsandtheirfeetinteractingwiththeground?MydefaultisIsendmykidsoutsideinthegrassbarefoota


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ton,butI'dlovetohearyourexpertiseonthisaswell.Gordon:It'sagreatdefault.Ifyoucan,thegrassisagreatavenue.Yourchildren'sfeet,they'regrowing,andwhenyouhaveacomplexfunctionof100movingjointsandbonesgrowing,andit'ssubjecttounnaturalterrainandunnaturalfootwear,alotofkidshavethatinabilitytogrowwell.So,it'sarealseriousquestionwhenyoureallystartlookingatTommyorSusieandhowareyou'regonnaaddresstheirfootwearandhowthey'regonnaplay.Barefootisfantasticforthetoddler,theyouth.Whentheystartgettingtothepointof...inthateightto12-year-oldsenseoffootwear,youwannamakesurethatthey'regoingoutthedoorinanavenuethat'salittlemorefavorable.So,alotofkidsit'skindalikeIlookat....youputaplateofgreenbeansinfrontofyourchildandachocolatecake,they'regonnagoforthegoodieusually.Iftheygotothedoorandtheysee,youknow,thecutelittlefoamclogsorapairofflip-flopsandals,andtheycangoput...theydon'thavetobendover,andtheyputthoseon,theyrunoutthedoor,it'seaseofaccess.So,thesearethejunkfoodsoffootwear.Youhavetobereallyunderstandingthatifyouputapileofmarshmallowsunderyourfeetoryourchild'sfeet,it'sgonnacreatecompensation,it'sinstability.So,anythingreallysofttoyourhand,alotofpeoplewillgotoapharmacyandfindsomething,apileofgel,"Ohit'scushiony.Thatcushionisgood,"andthisandthat.Well,thinkaboutit,Icouldtellasix-year-oldkidifIputapileofmarshmallowsunderyourfeet,areyougonnabestrongandpowerful,areyougonnabeweak?So,somethingreallysofttoyourhandcan'tsupportyourbodythroughmotion.Andit'skindoflikethetaleof"Goldilocks"thinkaboutit.Thisistoosoft,ontheothersideofthefence,toohardworld.Thinkaboutmoldingafoot,orcastingafoot,orbracingafoot.Wellfeetwithover100movingbonesandjointstheydon'thaveoneshape.Sotoohardwillactuallycreatecompensationaswellandinterferewithfunctionalityandgrowth,andallthesethingsthatyoureallywanttointroduceinafavorablemanner.Sobarefoot,fantasticforthetoddler,theyouth.Grasswhenyoucan.SomepeopleliveinAlaska,youknow,andtheyhaveawinterbaby,andthey'reinsnow,yougottathinkaboutthebootyou'regonnaputon,andwhatthey'regonnaweartostaywarm,andhowareyougonnaaddressafootwearwardrobe,notonlyjustforyourselfbutforyourkids.Katie:Yeah,thatmakesperfectsense.AndbeforewemoveonIwannamakesurewetouchonthisbecauseIhaveafeeling,we'reonthesamepageonthisone.Foralotofthewomenlistening,whatisyourtakeonhighheels,becausetomejustlogicallyandintuitivelyourancestorsweren'twearingthoseeither.So,I'mcuriouswhatyourtakeisonhighheelsandwheretheyfallintothat.Gordon:It'sfunny,thehistoryofhighheelsreallyevolvedfromIthinkitwasinMongolia,itwasformentoactuallyliftthemselvesfurtheroutofastirruptoshootanarrowoverahorse.Theevolutionofhighheelsactuallyhasbeenaroundforalongtime.Ilovethem,Ithinktheyareabsolutelyawesome.Butwhenyoureallythinkaboutfromafashionsenseandwhenandwhereyoudoyourhighheelthing.I'mactuallyonaprojectdon'ttellanyoneit'stopsecret.I'monahighheelprojectrightnow,andyoucanactuallymakehighheelsthatareactuallynotonlycomfortable,butactuallysomewhathealthy,butinafootweardiet.Soyouthinkaboutit,ifyouwalkoutthedoorandyouwearapairofflip-flopsallday,andthenyougoandyouhaveapartyonaFridaynight,andyouwannawearyourhighheel,wellmostlikelytheshearing...rememberthe


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marshmallows,theconstantsmearingandshearingofyourfootinsomethingthat'ssquishy,doesnottransitionwelltosomethingthat'sessentiallyrigid.Sohighheelsarearigidathleticfootwearsport,theyreallyare.Andifyoureallywannafeelbetterinhighheels,lookbetterinhighheels,it'sreallyamannerofhowyoumanageyourfootweardiet.So,thiscaninvolveafootweardietforyourkids,toyou,toyourfashion,andthenyoursports.Ifyou'rearunnerorwhatyouliketodo.Ifyouwearsomethingsmushyandsmearyallday,thatdisablesyourfootfunction,thatactuallycounteractsallthewayupyourleg,soyou'reactuallydetuningyourlegs.Soifyouwalkaroundsmearingalldaylong,I'llsaylet'sjustputthemotionofputtingacigaretteoutorsquishingabug,orsmearing,thatcausesalotoflegrotation,whichgoesallthewayupyourlegandinterfereswithhowthebalancesoftheconnectiveissuesthatencompassyourwholelowerextremityofyourbody,andthatyoudon'twannado.Sobeforehighheels,manageyourfootweardiet.Beforeyoursports,youmanageyourfootweardiet.Yourgrowingkids-manageyourfootweardiet.Katie:Ithinkthat'sagoodperspective,andIthinkit'saperfecttimetotalkaboutaswellbecauseyouhavesaidthatfootandlowerbodymaintenanceisjustasimportantasdentalhealthmaintenance.AndI'dlovetohearyouexpoundonthat,becauseIactuallyrecentlyinterviewedadentalhealthprofessionalandperiodontistwhoexplainedhowlikeyouroralhealthimpactsyourentirebody,andhowithasthesefar-reachingconsequences.AndI'mguessingthatthere'sasimilarcomparisonhere.So,I'dlovetohearmoreofwhatyouspecificallymeanbythatstatement.Gordon:Sure,thinkaboutit.Youknow,everybodydoesareallygoodjobatthis.Whenwebrushourteetheverynight,anddayinthemorningwewakeupandafterourmeals,we'reprettydarngood…flossingyouwannakeep.Youknow,webringthatforwardtoourkidsthenwetakethemintoaprofessionalone,two,threetimesayearformaintenanceandmanagement,andtroubleshootingtomakesurewedon'thaveproblems.Why?Somostlikelywecaneatanapplewhenwe're90.Wellthinkaboutit.It'dbenicetobeabletoeatanapplewhenyou're90,buthowwouldyouliketobeabletowalkadoginsteadofwalkingacane,or,youknow,maybeevengoforarunorahike.So,youreallythinkaboutthedentalroutinewaswelldone.Yourbodymechanics,Iusedtosaymotionislife,ifyou'renotmoving,you'renotliving.Wellitkindamakessense,butIwaswrong,qualitymotionislife.Ifyou'renotmovingwell,you'renotlivingwell,andyou'renotextendingyouractivelifeline.Soreallyyouwannaguardyouractivelifelineasbestasyoucan,justlikeyouguardyourteeth,foryourself,andyourkids,why?So,youcanbeactivelongerinlife.So,youknow,motionislife.Yougottamove,andyourfeetarekindofabigpartofthatandifyourfeetcan'tmovewell,yourlegscan'tmovewell,anditallbackfires.Ifyourlegscan'tmovewell,yourfeetcan'tmovewell.So,thesearethebigpuzzlesthatpeoplereallydon'tknowthatwe'rediligentlyworkingreallyhardtomakeitverysimpleforpeopletomanagegoodfunctionalityintheirdailymovement.Katie:Yeah,Ithinkthat'ssoimportant.Sookaysowe'vegonethroughandbarefootisgreatwhenit'ssoftterrainandit'snotconcrete.AndIgetthatbecauseI'vealways,likeIsaid,I'vealwaysdefaultedtobarefoot,I'mjustmorecomfortablethatway,butIalsodon'tlikerunningonconcrete.AndIdon'tknowthatrunningbarefootonconcreteisactuallyagoodplan,ittendstogiveyoushinsplintswhenI'vetriedit.AndIknowthatthere'sbeenthewholebarefootminimalistmovementwhichI'mgladthattherearenowlikeshoesthataremoreminimalistlikethat.Butagain,likeyousaid,itmakessensenottorunonconcretewiththosetypesof


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things.So,I'mcurious,likecanyoukindagiveusthebroadrangeofspectrumlikewiththatshoediet,andwhatyoushouldorshouldn'tlookat,atdifferentlevelsanddifferentactivities?Gordon:Yeah,sure.Allshoesareorthotics.Allshoeschangethewayyoumove,allofthemdo.Thinkaboutit,youknow,youwearahighheel,aboot,sandal,Nike,Reebok,Prada,allthesedesigns,youknow?Theyarebeautifulfootwearouttherebutguesswhat?Theyallchangethewayyourbodiesmove,allofthem.Andyourbodiescompensatequitewell,theyreallydo,buttheproblemistheycompensateatsuchamomentumthatitcandoirreversibledamagetojoints,anddingsupthekineticchain,becausewehavealltheseunnaturalbarriers.Footwearchangesthewayyoumove.Unnaturalterrainschangethewayyoumove.Yourfootiskindalikeaplayerpiano,itneedstoarticulatemoveandchangegearsjusttorotateyourhips.Standinginyourkitchenandrotatingtoputsomethinginacupboard,yourfeetneedtoconsistentlyandcontinuouslytransition,andnotonlytoshapebutfunctionality.So,inorderforallofthosejointstoglideandmovewell,weneedtounderstandthatit'safact,weliveinanunnaturalworld,unnaturalshoes,unnaturalterrain.It'snotjustrunning,walking.Walkingonhardsurfacesit'slikeafinepintoyourface,barefoot,becauseyourfootisreallyanelegantbeautifultransitioningmechanismthathasover100movingbonesandjoints.NowIkeepsayingthatbecauseit'sreallyimportanttoknowhowtoletyourfeetmoveandmovewell.Nowyou'renotgonnadoitallthetimebutthinkaboutitasadiet.NowIcameuponthisthehardway,Iwasabigmountainextremeskier,Iwaspushingtheenvelope,andjumping100-footcliffswithmybuddiesoutinJacksonHoleasayoungguy.Andwhenyou're200-poundguyjumping100-footcliffandpullinga70mileanhourGSturn,andyourfeetaresubjecttoalltheseforcesthatsimplyarenotnatural,weweretryingtofindmeanstobraceourselvessothatwecouldsticktheselandingssothatwewouldn'tcartwheelandhitrockwalls,anditwasabloodymess,wedidn'twantthat.So,westartedbracingfeetgoingback,givenoutmyage,over30years.Wewerebracingourfeetandmoldingourfeet,anditworked,itworkedquitewell.Itstoppedfootdisplacementtothepointwherewewereabletoachieveincrediblethings.Iwoundupbecomingapedorathistandworkinginthemedicalworldandunderstandingwhatwasstateoftheartatthattime.Butitdidn'tworkwithwhatweweredoing,rigidathleticfootwear,itwasreallyconfusing.Whenyoustartreallythinkingabouthowtotakethismassivepuzzleof100plusmovinghumanbonesandjointsandgetfunctionalityandextremesports.Well,longstoryreallyshort,IwassopopularIhadaverybusylab,andwewerehelpingOlympianswinthepodiums,anddoalltheseincrediblethings.Anditallcametumblingdownfromtwosports:golfandsnowboarding.Andwhatthosetwosportsreallydothat'smorebeyondwhatweweredoing,isputtinginrotationatthehip.So,weweremoldingfeet,andeverybody'sheardoforthoticsandyoumoldyourskin,yourfeet,andbracefeetandgetacastofyouoramoldofyou.Itsoundsgreatbutit'snotreal.Yourfeetdon'thaveoneshape.So,westartedactuallymoldingbodiesinmotionwithhiprotationsanddiscoveringalgorithmsofwherethefootneedstomove,whenitneedstomovethereandwhy.AndIrealizedwow,youcan'thandmakethat,youjustcan'tmakeit.Timingandsequenceoffootmotionandtransitioningthroughallvariablefootwearsandterrains,it'sjustlikewow.Agoodwhileago,whenIwasstumped,thatwasbackaround1999,2000,12yearsagoALINEcametolife.Anditreallycametolifefromhardwork,hardresearch,andwhenandwhythingsneedtomove.Andthenhowtoactuallyworkthroughvariablesofallthesecrazydifferentshoes,andwhatyoucanworkwith.


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Sothatwastheevolutionofwhatwecallfootsuspensionsystem.Andthefootsuspensionsystemisliterallyjustthat,it'sallowingthefoottohavebarefootfunctionalitywithinfootwear.Andit'sreallyover100dynamicssupportandsuspensionstructuresthatassistnaturalmovementpatternsasyourotateyourhips,oryourvariableterrainandthroughvariablefootwear.Katie:Thatmakesperfectsense.So,fromthen...Okaysothesewouldbe...You'reusingthesewithathletes,butareyoualsousingthemwithpeoplewhoneedrehabilitationoftheirmovementfromlikeinjuriesorforjustlikemovementingeneral?Orwhenareyoufindingthesearethemostapplicable?Gordon:Sure,everythingisreallyathree-partpuzzle,allright?Let'sgobacktoeatingthatapplewhenyour90.Wouldn'tyouliketobetowalkadoginsteadofwalkingacane?Youreallystartthinkingabout,well,here'sthefacts,wearenowlivinginaworldthat'snotquitenatural,wepavedourworldoverinablinkofhumanity,justinthelast200years.Andwehavein….wejustinthe1970sstartputtingfoamundereverybody'sfeet.So,wehaveanunnaturalworld,sohowcanwestarttokindasolvethepuzzle?Andit'sreallyathree-partrecipe.Alignmentisoneofthem,howyoualign.Andalignmentisreally...there'sallsortsofalignment.Ifyoujuststandonaflatsurfaceandyoudropplumbbobsfromyourknees,orweuselaserstobetteryouralignment,thealignmentisthatstaticonaflatsurface.Nowgostandsidewaysonahill,that'sanewalignment.Inordertohavealignmentoftheknee,andfoot,andthehipsandeverythingonahillyourfeetneedtochangegears,theyneedtotransition.Thedownhillfootwillcomeinward,theuphillfootwillcomeoutward.Wealwaysheardofthewordpronation,that'skindalikethistabooworldof,"Oh,youpronatetoomuch?"No,pronationisanaturalbeautifulfunctionofthefoot.Youverymuchsoneedthattotransitionwellinallsortsofvariableterrains.So,it'syouwhenyoupronate,whenyousupinateandhowwellyoudo,andit'sthetimingandefficiencyofthat.So,onepartoftherecipeisyouralignment.ALINE,wewentacrossthenationlikeBenandJerry'sandwefitupwellover100,000peoplewithlasersandshowedthemthatprettydarncloseto90%ofpeopleareprettyfaroutofalignment.Andthey'removing2to3millionstepsayearoutofalignment,andthatcreatescompensationwhichisunfavorabletothelegs.Andso,youshowthatalignment,thenwebroughtintheputsuspensiontechnology,whichbasicallysuspendedthefootinatransitionsequence,sothenthefootcanactuallymove.Thattransitionsequenceallowedalignmenttoreappearprettydarnawesomeformostpeople,justabouteveryone.Sojustthecoretechnology,youcangetthat,getitstarted.Butnowwehaveanotherproblem.Whoknows,areyouthat80-year-old,areyoua20-year-old,ora40-year-old,you'vegotahistoryofwhateveryou'vebeendoingforthelast10,20,30yearsinwhateverfootwearyou'vebeeninandthatpuzzlecomeswithyou.So,whatisthatpuzzle?Ifyouworesandalsforthelast20years,andyourfeetaresmearingallovertheplace,yourlegsaremostlikelyoutoftune.Yourlegsarekindalikeaguitar,theyjust...youplayaguitarharditgetsoutoftuneandyouhavetoretuneit.So,therangeofmotionofyouralignmentisthepuzzle,numbertwo.So,alignment,rangeofmotionofyouralignment,andthethirdbigpartofthepuzzleisthatfootweardietIkeepreferringto.Whatareyougonnawear?NowI'mnotgonnatakeeverybody'ssandalsaway,it'scrazy,peoplearegonnaweartheirsandalsoryourhighheels.Gosh,don'twannatakeawayyourhighheels,butIdon'twantyoutobeclunkingawkwardin


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yourhighheels,Iwantyoutobegracefulandelegant.Andthereisnoreasonwhyyoucan'tbe.Allthegalsknowwhotheyare,theonesattheendoftheweddinglookaroundwho'sattheendofthatlastsong,onthelastdance,who'sgottheirshoesintheirhandandwho'sgottheirshoesontheirfeet.Now,thisisthepuzzle,youwanttobethatpersonthatcanactuallyhaveyourshoesonyourfeetcomfortably,andallthatis,isconditioningandtraining,justlikeanything.Ifyou'regonnabearunner,atriathlete,you'regonnaconditionandtrainyourbodytobeabletodothat.Ifyouwannawearhighheelsandwearthemwell,youneedtoconditionandtrainyourfeetandlegstodothat,andit'snothard.Katie:Thatmakessense.Okay,soIhavesomemoredetailedquestionsrelatedtospecificshoes,butIwanttotouchonacoupleotherthingsfirstbecauseIgetalotofquestionsaboutthese,andIfeellikeyou'regonnahaveagoodtakeonthem.So,whenIwroteaboutlikebeingbarefootalotandwantingtobemoreminimalistinmyshoewearandnothaveshoeson,Igotalotofpeoplepushingbackorhavingquestionsrelatedtoarchsupport.Becauselikeno,wehavetohavealotofarchsupportbecausethenifnotlikeourfootisgonnaatrophy,andit'sgonnahavealltheseproblems.Andso,andsosaidIhavetohavegoodarchsupportbecauseIhaveweirdarchesorwhateveritmaybe.So,I'mcurious,wheredoesarchsupportcomeintothis?Andisthismoreoflikeamodernthingbecauseofthehardgroundthatwe'rewalkingon?Ordoweneedarchsupport?Gordon:Wellifyou...Sayyouraveragekidtoday...It'sactuallyunfortunatewhenwedoasimpleassessment,wehavealotofourpractitionersdothis,justtakingasimplelookatthefootandthelegandhowthingsaremoving.WhenIsaycloseto90%ofpeoplearen'tmovingwell,that'sreallyoutofalignment.Nowlet'sthinkaboutyourlegs.Ifyourlegsareoutoftuneandoutofalignment,anddrivinginward,yourlegactsmorelikealeverarm,andleversmoveboulders.So,yourfootwillloseeverytime.So,ifyourleg'snotmovingwell,yourfeetcan'tmovewell.Wellthekidstoday,youknow,they'reevolvingatsucharateinsuchunfortunatesquishyfootwearthatwe'reseeingyouraverage13-year-oldgetsupthereonthestandandyoucanlookattheirarchesortheirfootandtheiralignment,they'restandingon...itlookslikeaflatfoot.Wellit'saflexibleflatfoot,andaflexibleflatfootisjustfine,andtheycomerightbacktogoodfunctionality,butyouwannapayattentiontothis.Reallyimportantisunderstandinghowtomanagesupport.Nowanarchsupporter,everybodythinksarch,wellyourfeet,theydon'thaveonearch,andyourarchneedstotransition.Peoplesay,"WellIgotaflatfoot,"or"Igotahigharch,"or"Igotthistypeofarch."Wellbackthenthatcrazyextremeskierguy,memoldingthousandsoffeetbackthen,flippingthemoldsoverandrealizingsomethingverysimplewhenyoustartedlookingatmoldsfromhiprotationpointofview,thatA,feetdon'thaveoneshape,B,thevariablesbetweenhigharchfeetandlowarchfeetweren'tthatbig.Youknow,itwasmillimeters,roughlyzerotofourmillimetersandvariablefromcenterwherewe'refindingthesepointsofinterestthatwerequiteprogrammable.Andifyoustartthinkingabout,"Wow,wellifeverybody'sgotthesamemovingparts...Orlikeaface,let'sthinkofascubadivemaskforaface,IcandesignandmakeamaskforyourfacebecauseIknowrelativelywhereyournoseis,whereyourcheeksare,howtovariablethematerialsforwiderfacesoraskinnyface.Well,it'sthesamethingwithfeet.TheALINEsystemwasdesignedtoenablethevariablearchesofthefoottotransition.Andtomakethevariablefootshapesandthearchdepthsautomatically.Justputitinyourshoeandyourfeetwillautomaticallytransitionthroughthesuspensionsystem.


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Sooveraccentuating,takingamaterialandputtingitintoahigharchfoot,you'rebasicallylimitingthatperson'sabilitytopronatewell.Remember,ifyoumoldafootandbraceitup,that'sfine,nowgostandsidewaysonahill.Ifthatdownhillfootcan'tcomeinwardintimingtobalanceyourbodyjusttostandthere,neverthelessmoving,youactuallycreateacompensationthatismassivelyunfavorabletoyourhips.So,it'sreallythatsimple.Archsupportisreallykindofabroadtermlikepronationoranti-pronationorarchsupport.Feetdon'thaveoneshape,sothereisnotonesinglearchsupporttofocuson.Katie:Gotit,thatmakessense.Sothatwouldseemlikeitwouldapplyto,likeyoumentionedinpassing,flatfeetaswell.BecauseIgetalotofquestionsfrommomswhoarelike,"MybabyhasflatfeetandI'mworried,doIneedtodosomethingtomybaby'sfeet?"AndIhavenoclue,thisisnotanareaI'veeverexperienced.Iguess,likeIwouldsayIhavearchesorhigherarchesifIhadtosayone,butdoesthesamekindofapplytoflatfeet?Thatwhenyou'relikedoingsomethingtospecificallyaddressthatyou'relimitingthemotionforthewholefoot?Gordon:Right,soyouthinkabout...here'sthegoodone,yourkidsaregoingtohave,they'regrowing.Thefootisbasicallyentirelyflexible,thekidsarelikeGumby,they'remadeoutorrubber,right?Theygrow,andtheymove,andthingsare...weevolvethatway,andthat'sgood.Youwannastartfocusingonwhenyourchildisinthatrealathleticsstage,theboysaroundage7,8,9,thegirls,youknow,rightinthere,that8,9,10,youreallywannastartlookingatthatfootwearandbeverycarefulwiththejunkfood,okay,thesandals,andthesoftfoamythings.Youwannagettheminmoreofafootwearthatwillhelpthatfootjusthavestabilityandmobility,andtimingandsequencewhentheyneedit.Andthere'slotsofgreatsneakersoutthere,there'slotsofgreatshoesthathavealaceandyouputitonthekid'sfoot.Don'tletthemmigratetothelazyfootwearmorethancallitathirdoftheiroutsidetime.Trytogettwo-thirdsofthattimewhenthey'reontheirfeetoveranhouringoodfootwear.Letthemhavetheirjunkfood,butdon'tletthemalwayshaveit.Andthesamethingwithmoms,Imeanhowmanymomsoutthere...here'sone,theythinkthataftertheyhadchildnumberone,two,three,andthentheysay,"Wow,myfeetgrew."Welldidyourfeetgrow?No,yourarchlowered,theyelongated,thedisplacementatyourhip,thechildstages.Andyourfeetdidn'tgrow,theylostalotoftheirabilitytoholdtheirintegritytogetherbecauseofmassiveamountofloads,andshearing,anddisplacement,andalsogoingtosloppyfootwear.Howmanymomsareouttherethatgothroughthestagesofpregnanciesandtheygotoasandal?So,yougottabereallycarefulduringandallthesetimes.There'salotalotofpeoplelike,"Okay,Igotmy2.2kids,Igottheminivan,I'mdone.I'mgonnagorunning,I'mgonnalosesomeexcessweight,andgetbackinshape,youknow,I'vedoneit."Andthentheygooutandtheygoforarun,theyusedtobeabletorun,butnowalsotheirkneeshurt,ortheirhipshurt,andtheysaidtheirfeetgrow.Well,yourfootisshearing,andifthefootisshearingallthattimeoffootshearingthelegisoutoftune.So,youmighthaveatightcalf,youmighthaveahipthat'snotmovingwell,youmighthaveaweakabductor.There’realltheselittlepiecesofthepuzzletosolveandit'snotabigdeal.Andthat'swhenIbringpeoplebacktojustrealsimpleviewofafootweardiet.Andwecangettothefootweardietatanypointyouwannatalkaboutthat.Katie:Yeah,let'sdiveintothat,butfirst,sobasicallyfromwhatyou'resayingforallthesemomslisteningbecauseIknowthisisacommonthing,afterhavingkids,yourfeetseemtochange.Isthisafixablething?Likecanmomsgetbacktotheshoestheyusedtowearbeforetheyhadkids?Gordon:Absolutely,youcangetbacktogoodfunctionality,youknow?Areyou...Youknow,alotofpeoplego


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throughaphaseoftimewherethefootisdisplacedtoapointwhereyou'rejustgonnahaveabiggersize,oryoumighthaveevolvedabumporabunionor,youknow,displacementsandthingslikethatinyourfeetthatweren'ttherewhenyou're15.Andthesearevariablesthatyoujusthavetoaccommodate.Andwecantalkabout,youknow,footshapes,andyouhavetothinkaboutyou'reaveryspecialcreature,andmostlikelyyourleftfootiscompletelydifferentfromyourright.Mostpeopleareasymmetricallydifferent,theyreallyare,soyoumighthaveabuniononyourrightfoot,notonyourleft.So,youbuyawideshoeforittoaccommodateabunion,andthenyourlefthiphurtsbecausethatleftfootisnowslidingallovertheplace.So,yougottabeverycarefulofyourbio-mechanicpuzzles.Andthere'sverysimplethingsyoucandotomanagethose.Katie:Okay,solet'stalkaboutthatandlet'sdivein,becauseyou'vementionedthefootweardietseveraltimes,andIwannaknowmore.So,whatisitandhowdoweadapttothat?Gordon:Allright,sowe'regonnawearshoes,faceit,youknow,andthehardestonesaremyfriendsthatarelivinginCalifornia,inTexasandHotlanta,Floridawhereit'shot.Youknow,peopletendtomigratetotheirsandals,andifyouputapileofmarshmallowsunderyourfeet,yourfeetaregoingtosmear.Iftheysmear,that'sshearing.Shearingdestroysallmachines.So,ifyouwearasandalalldayeverydayandyourfootisslidingoutwardly,you'rereallymakingyourwholelegdoublewideandyou'repoppingyourhipexcessively,andlotsofrotationgoingthroughthatlegisjustunfavorable,okay?Andthat'snotagoodlong-termsolutionofcreatinginstabilityandinadailyroutineandexpectlongevity.So,shearingisoneofthebiggestenemies,butdon'ttakeitaway.Ifit'sahotdaythere'salotofmeshclogsoutthere,meshsneakersouttherethatbreathewell.So,youwannamixupyourfootweardiet.So,we'regonnajustrememberthe"S"insandalisforsedentary.Ifyou'reinashoethatissedentary,it'sfine,youknow,you'rehangingoutatthehouse,you'regonnabeonyourbutthalfthedayworkingatacomputer,oreverynowandagainatastand-updeskorwhatnot,youcanwearsandal.Butifyou'regonnabereallyonyourfeetoveranhour,trynottochoosethatsandal,okay?Andthesamegoesforheels,alotofwomencometomeandsay,"Youdon'tgetit,Iwearheelseverydayatwork."I'mlike,"Well,whatdoyouwearafterworkandbeforework?"So,youwannahaveyourhandbag,haveyourheelsinyourbagandhaveyourfootwearthat'sfavorable.I'mthehorse'smouthwithALINE,butthefootsuspensionsystembringsbackalignmentfornearlyjustabouteverybody.Sogoodfavorablefunctionofthefootisagreatstart,inagoodshoelikeasneaker,aniceneutralsneakertocommutetowork,andthenputyourheelon.Doyourheeltime,gettheheeloffandgorunofftolunchorwhateverandgetyourfootfunctionalitytimeinsideasneaker,orsomeformof...there'salotofdressshoesouttherethathaveremovableinsolesthatyoucanreplacewithafootsuspensionsystem.Butyouwannalookatthesandalassedentary.Ontheotherside,yourheels,wearthem,butit'snotalldayeverydaything.Ifyouwalkaroundinheelsalldayeveryday,yourcalfandyourlegcompensatessomuchthatyoudon'tgetgooddailystretchingofvitalpointsofyourleg.Alotofwomenwindupwithtightcalves.Tightcalvesrelayunfavorablerangeofmotionthroughtheleg.Andlong-term,everytimeyouwalkupaflightofstairs,orahill,atightcalfwillprematurelyliftyourheeltoapointwhereit'llrapidlyforcefootshearing.Again,shearingisyourbiggestenemy.So,sandalssedentary.Heelsinadiet.Mostpeopledon'thavetowearheelsalldayeveryday,Idon'tknowhowmanymomsreallydo.Butifyoudo,great,goodforyou,butfindyourfunctionalitytime.Lookatalignmentandfootwear,ALINEfootwearasaPTforthefoot,allowingyourfootjusttohavesomefunctionmovingthroughwhatevershoeyou'reworkingwith.


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Andthenwhenyougetintoadressshoes,high-endfashion,itmightnotbeaheel,butwoman'sfootwearcangettrickybecausealotofthemwillhaveahardsole.Likelet'sjustpickonahard,woodenblockheel,ashortheel,likeonashortbootlikeacowboybootthat'swood.Whenyoustrikelaterally,andmostwomendowiththehipangles,it'slikelandingonahockeyblade.So,yougottabeverycarefulofthoseshoes,becauseifyou'rewearingarealhardsoledshoeeventhoughitmightnotbeaheel,theyarereally,reallyabrasivetotheheelstrike.Andthat'sunfavorabletogoodtimingofsequenceorgoodfootmechanicsandlegmechanics.So,thefootweardiet,IalwaystellpeoplegotoNordstrom's,agreatplacetogowheretheyhavesomuchofavarietyoffashion,andlookforshoesthathavearubbersole,andaremovableinsole.It'ssomethingthatappealstoyou,yourfashion,yourtasteandgowithit,getthatintoyourdiet,yourwardrobe.IworkattheX-Games,IhelpthekeyathletesattheX-Gamesbecausethat'smoreofourprovengrounds.So,peoplecometomeandsay,"WellwhatdoesX-Gameshavetodowithmewalkingadog,"orwhatnot.Performanceisthekeytohealth.Ifyou'reperformingbetter,you'regonnaperformlonger,andbehealthierlongerbiomechanically.SoextremesportsoftheX-GamesreallytestedthemotionstoalevelthatIcan'tfindanyothersportthatreallydrives,youknow,anathletegoing30feetoutofahalf-pipeandlandingsidewaysorbackwardsandstickingtheirlanding.Butthatisfunctionality,ittakesfootmechanicstobeabletodothat,that'sjustgoodfunctionality.Butthesekidsthatarepushingtheenvelope,theywearfashionshoes,theyweartheirskateboardshoesjustforwalkingaroundalldayeveryday.Nowaskateshoeiskindoflikeasandal.Andalotofyourkidsaregonnawannawearthese.Youknowwhotheyare,youcanprobablygorightbythedoorrightnow,Iknowalotofthemarewearingthose...theConverse,All-Stars,orthecoolskateshoesandwhateverthecoolfashionistodayattheschool.Andthey'regreat,they'reawesomeshoesifyououtfitthemwell.Butmostofthedesignsweredesignedforanactualsport,likeaskateboard,flat,grippy.So,youdon'twantflat,grippysnackingdowninyourdailywalking.Sothat'swheretheALINEcanslideinthereandbeanicefavorableattributetoyourkid'sfootweardiet.Andthat'sreallyit,justbeing...understandingofwhenyou'reonyourfeetthemost,andwhenyoucanweaveinfunctionality,andrangeofmotionandallowingthingstomovethroughourunnaturalconcretejungletoday.Andextendthatactivelifelineandlistentoyourbody.Ifthingsaren'tfeelinggood,there'susuallyarangeofmotionissueinyourleg.Nowespeciallyyoucouldbea60-year-oldthathasa30-yearrunninghistory,andyougot,youknow,youhaveITbandissues,orshinsplintsorallthesepuzzles,isusuallypartofthatthree-partrecipe:thealignment,therangeofmotionofyouralignment,andyourfootweardiet.Katie:That'sreallyhelpfultounderstandkindof...Ithinkit'slikeanythinginlifetounderstanditinperspectiveofnoshoeinandofitselfshouldbelikecompletelyoutlawedorneverworn.Butfindingawaytokeepthatbalanceandtomakesurethatmostofthetimeyou'refavorablysupportingyourfeet.I'mcuriouslike,aretherespecific...So,yousaidlikeremovableinsole,andlikemovablesolesarenotreallyhard.Andformykids,I'vealwaystriedtofindonethatalsodon'thaveahugeheellift.Inoticedthistrendinkid'sshoeseventhatthey'vegotlikeahalfinchtoaninchheel,andit'sthatcushylikefoamystuff,butit'schangingtheangleoftheirfoot.Isitgoodtolookfor,especiallyinkids,ashoethat'sgotmoreoflikeanaturalflatshapethatletstheirfootmovemorenaturally,orwhatdoyoulookforasagoodmetricinkidsforlikeanathleticshoe?Gordon:Iliketolookattheheelsofshoesthatarenotsosquare,Ilikethemalittlemoreroundedsothatwhentheheelcomesdownitstrikesandrolls.Becauseagain,everything'smoving,youknow,alotofpeopleliketodoresearchonflatsurfacesandjustwalkingforward,that'snotthewaywemove.Youknow,sidewalks


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areangled,kidsdon'tmovemarchingordersforward,theygosideways,theygocircular,theydoeverything.Sofluidsolesaregreat.Idon'tgetoverwhelmedatthenegativedrops,andthebarefootsole,andallthesemarketingthingsouttherebecausetheworldisnotflat.Theterrain...yougetoutsidetheterrainisvariableallthetime,sidewalksareangledtomovewater,Imeanit'sreallyjustanenvironmentthatisever-changing.Soaslongasthefootwearhasaremovablesole,andisflexibleenough,rubber-esque,I'mafan.Itrytoavoidexcessivesquishy.Youknow,themorecushioningandthemoresquishyyouputinthereitfeelsgoodforyourfirstinitialsteps,anditsellsbecauseyoudon'tfeelreallyanything.Youcanhideeverythingwithapileofmarshmallows.Butthefactisifyoucansquishsomethingwithyourhandandit'ssquishytoyourhand,howdoesthatsupportyourbodythatneedswelloverfourtimesyourbodyweightjusttomoveandhavegoodmobilitytowalk?That'sbeforeyou'rereallyrunningandimpactinganddoingthesethings.So,youreallyneedtosupportthebodyandsuspendthebodyinkeyvitalpointsofmechanicsandallowingthatfoottotransition.Andagain,everythingisunnatural,andweneedtobeawareofthat.Andthenalsoifyoureallythinkabouthowthefootcanmove,ifthefootmoveswell,thentheleghasamuchbetterabilitytomovewellaswell.So,iftheleg'smovingwellandgettingdailystretchingroutines,Imeanhowmanyrunnersdoyouseeseatingtheredoingthat,youknow,leaningintoawall,oronacurbandtryingtostretchtheircalforwhateverthey'redoing?AndIlook,andIjusthavetocringebecauseorthey'rebasicallystretchingoutofalignment.So,they'reessentiallymakingthemselvesworse.So,it'sreallyjustbydailywalking,it'stheeasiestthingyoucandoto...it'slikethedailymaintenanceofthattoothbrushingagain.Youknow,it'sverysimplethingyoucandotomanageahealthyavenueforyourselfandyourkids.Youknow,Igotothegym,Isay...andI'mworking–IwenttotheArnoldtheotherweek,andI'mworkingwithalltheseweightlifters,andyou'rewatchingthemandthey'reincredible.Incrediblehumanbeings,butthey'recompensating.Iteachthem,ifyouwannabebetteratthegym,walkbetter.Yougymalittlebit,youwalkalotmorethanyoudoanything.Peoplewalk2to3millionstepsayear,thinkaboutit.Allthoselittledrip,drip,drip,dripofthedailywalkingisyouravenuetobeabetterathlete.Youwannabethenextbestsurfer,walkbetter.Youknow,you'regonnahavemorestabilityandmobilitywhenyou'reonyoursurfboardforyourbarefootsport.Gymnasts,weightlifters,runnersisabigone.Youwannarunbetter,walkbetter.Honestly.Ifyouwearsandalsalldaythengoforarun,you'renotgonnarunwell.Youwannagolf?Let'spickonalittlesportcalledgolf.Imeanwe'realloverthePGAtourrightnow.Why?Becauseweactuallyallowgoodfavorablehiprotation,becausethefootneedstotransitionforhiprotation.Oneofthemostprecisionsportsintheworld,IpickedontheX-Gamesasthemostextreme,wellgolfispretty...it'ssurgeryofasport.TobeataPGAlevelit'ssuchanaccuratesport,andforthattooccur,yourfeetneedtotransition.Walkbetter,notonthecourse,beforeyougettothegolfcourse.Youreallywannabebetteratthatgolfgame,managewhatyouwalkinbeforeyougettothegolfcourse,that'sthemagic.Andthenwhenyoureallylookatthatbigpuzzleandthebigscopeofthing,ofmovingbetterinthatdailydrip,drip,drip,justlikebrushingyourteeth,soyoucaneatanapplewithyourteethwhenyou're90,well,whataboutextendingyouractivelifeline?Thinkaboutit,doyouwannabeactiveoryouwannabesittingonacouchwithgreatteethandnotbeingabletomovewell?Thatiswhatweallwanttoavoid.Katie:Yeah,definitelyonboardwiththat,andthat'sagreatpoint.I'mgladthatyouarebringingawarenesstothat.


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ThispodcastisbroughttoyoubySteadyMD,thenewandrevolutionarywayIworkwithmyprimarycaredoctor.Weliveinatimewheneverythingcanbedeliveredtoyourdoor:packagesfromAmazon,yourgroceries,heckevenmassagetherapistscancometoyourhousenow.Sowhyarewestillallgoingtothedoctorandwaitinghourstoseeadoctorwhenwecanhaveourprimarycaredoctoravailableviaphoneandvideochatanytimewewant.I'mnotwaitinganymore!See,lastyear,IstartedworkingwithSteadyMD,whichislikehavinganoldschoolcountrydoctorwhocanvisityourhouse,butinstead,theyareavailableviatextorvideochatwheneverneededinstead.Andyou’reworkingwithaprimarycaredoctorwhoknowsyouandyourmedicalhistory,notsomerandomdoctorthatyougetassignedtothroughaTeledocservice.Iusethisallthetime,especiallywiththeirnewpediatricadd-onbecauseIcantextapicturewhenoneofmykidsgetacutorabeestingtoseeifitneedsmedicalattentionwithouthavingtositinurgentcare.IcanrequestlabswheneverIwantthem,andIfeelliketheyaretrulyapartnerinmyheath,andIcanbeapartnerinmyhealth,notjustanonlooker.Ibelievethatrelationshipslikethistrulyarethefutureofhealthandyoucanlearnmoreorfindadocwhomeetsyourneedsbygoingtowww.steadymd.com/WM.

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Katie:I'mcurious,soIgetthereasonflip-flopsarebad,yourfootisholdingontothem,it'sanunnaturalmovement.Arethereanysandalsthataregoodforkidsoradultsthataremore...Iknowthatprobablynonearespectacular,butarethereanythatarebetter?Gordon:Youknow,everybodyasksmethisonebecauseeverybodywantstheirjunkfoodsandthey'regonnagowiththebestoftheevils.Ireallydon'tliketopickonbrands,youknow,everybodytriestomakeadecentshoe,buttheproblemiseverybody'sfeetaredifferentandeverybody'sfeetareasymmetricallyusuallyverydifferentaswell.Andthere'salotofsandalsoutthereandalotofsandalcompaniestrytoattributethemselvestofitness,andhealth,andperformance,andallthisstuff.Oryou'llhavemoreearthyandgroundconnecting.Youknow,it'sstilljunkfood,there'ssomuch...oncethatheellosescontact,evenwhenyoucangettheseathleticsandalsyoucanhikein,theystraparoundthefoot,there'susuallysomuchpolyurethanefoams,orEVAfoams,orthingsthatarevulnerable.See,thefoams,whathappensistheybreakdown,theytakecompressionsteps,andwhentheydo,theyactuallyholdyourbodyoffatangles.There'scorksandalswhereIpersonallyprefer,butagainI'mnotsayingthere'sago-to.Again,thisisnota


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licensetoyoursandalalldayeveryday,becauseit'snotawinningsolution.Soyeah,keepinthatfootweardiet,sedentary.Ifyou'reonyourfeet,youknow,youcanevengoasfarascouplehours,buttry...ifyou'regonnagoshopping,youknowyourday.You'regonnagotheshop,yougoshoporyou'regonnagorunthekidsomewheretoschool,you'regonnagochasearoundTommyorSusieontheplayground,orwhateveryou'regonnado,trynottochooseasandalforthattime.Ifyou'regonnagotoabeach,wearasandal.Wearit,youknow,andthenkickitoffandhangoutonthebeach,that’sfine.Butmixitintoyourfootwearwardrobe,please.Andit'ssoimportanttomixupyourshoesbecausestabilityisshearing,shearingisthebiggestenemytoyourknees,yourhips,youreverythingandyourlongevity,andthatiswhatwe'reallworkinghardtotrytohelppeoplefigureout.Katie:Agreed,andIlovetheadvicetooifyouhavesoftgroundlikegrassorsandtobebarefoot,especiallyforkids.I'mgladthatyouareonboardwiththataswell.ButIknow...So,I'mlookingatyourwebsiterightnowandhavingmetyouinpersonaswellyouhaveseveraldifferenttypesoftheinsolesthatgointotheshoes.Sohowdoesapersonknowwhattheyspecificallyaregonnaneedandwhatkindofsupport...istherelikeasystemforfiguringoutkindawhatyoumightneed?Gordon:Yep.So,wedefinitely...we'restillalittlecompanygoingouttheredoinggreatthingsandhelpingpeoplefigureouttheirfootwearwardrobes.Theproductlinereallyallsharesthesamefunctionality,meaningthatyouinterfaceyourfoot,they'reallgonnafunctionthesameasfarasthegutsofthecoretechnologies.Andthenthetopfabricsarechangedforafewfeatures,forthegolfoneorthecyclingone,theyhaveagrippingmaterialonthere.It'salittlegrippierfor...Iliketousethegolforgrip.It'sforyourgymtimeorrotationalsportlikegolf,oranytimeyou'rereallyinthat...Youknow,alotofmysailorsliketousethatproduct.It'sfantasticforreallyholdingyouwithyourshoeinalltheseextremeangles.That'sthegreenoneandtheblueone,samething.Onthecoretechnology,theredone,that'swhat'sinsideeveryproduct.Ourcoretechnologyis,andoursayingiswhat'sinsidecounts,itreallydoes.Theseareallhighlyengineeredmovingstructuresthatdon'tfailoverlongtolerances.I'veneverseenanALINEgothroughseveralmillioncyclesandstillnotdeliverfavorablealignment.Mightnotbeasstrong,butitwillnevercompresstoapointwherethefoamsandgelsandthingsthattheyjustfail.Sothat'stheredone,that'swhat'sinsideeveryproduct.So,whenyougotoaline.com,theredoneiswhatyougetineverything.Thegreenandthebluehavealittlegrippymaterial.Theyellowoneandtheblackonebothhaveaverythinlayerofantimicrobialfoamandfabric,forthatpersonthatiswearingaskibootorasnowboardbootoraworkbootinthewinter,theblackone.Inthefallandspringtheblackoneisfantastic,it'sgotaheatreflectiveliner,cozywarm,andreallybreathswellandfunctionsgreatyear-roundforthosecertainfootwearneeds.Theyellowoneissameantimicrobialfoamwithaveryplushfabric,feelsfantasticonabarefoot.I'mahuge,hugeaddictedfanofslippers,lovethem.So,whenIgetupinthemorningthefirstthing,Idropmyfeetintoslippers.Ipersonally...IloveL.L.Bean'sslipperchoicesrightnow.UGGisdoingsomegoodonestoo,youputthosebabiesinthereyou'llnevergobackbecauseinterfacingdailyroutine,Iknowyoudidyour...Ilikeyourcobblestoneandyourmatandyou'remixingitupathome,Ithinkthat'sfantasticKatie,thatyou'reactuallythinkingforwardandallowingyourfoottoactuallychangegears.ButifyoujustdotheALINE,thinkoftheALINEasactivatingevensuchahigherlevelofdimension,X-Gamelevelofextreme,toprecisionofPGA,justwalkingaroundyourhouse.So,inaslipper,they'refantastic,really,reallylovethatyellowonethere.Butifyou'regonnapickoneup,gettheredone,weariteverywheretillyougetsoaddictedtoitthenyoucanmixitupwithyourpreference.


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Katie:Greattoknow.Andaswe'regettingclosetotheend,IalsowannamakesureIaskyouaboutplantarfasciitis,ifyouhaveanyspecificadviceorinsolerecommendationsforthat.BecauseIhavesurprisingnumberofreadersandlistenerswhoemailwiththatquestion,andIhaveabsolutelynoclue.I'veneverdealtwithitsoI'mcuriousifyouhaveanyadviceforthem.Gordon:It'ssofunny,I'vehadrunningstoreownerscometomeandsay,"Youknowwhat,I'vehadplantarfasciitisforfouryears,justcan'tgetridofit,"blah,blah,blah,blah.It'sreally...againit'sathree-partrecipe.I'llkeepdrillingitdown,thefootweardiet.Okay,three-partrecipe.Youralignment,therangeofmotionofyouralignment,andyourfootwearisthekeytofavorability.IfyouhaveplantarfasciitisyouprobablyhaveA,ahistoryofprettydarnawfulfootwear.B,you'reeitherthatoryouhaveovertrainingregimen,you'reatriathleteandyou'rereallytraining,training,trainingandyourlegisnotmovingwell.Andifyouthinkofthebottomofyourfootjustlikealltheseelasticbands,wealldiditasakid,anybodyeverpullthatelasticbandtilltheyseeitfrayandthey'rewatchingit,they'retotallyboredandtryingtostretchtheirelastictilljustbeforeitbreaks.Well,that'sbasicallyplantarfasciitis,soyoufrayedthebottomofyourfoot'sconnectivetissues.So,whenthosefraylikethatelasticband,theytendtohealatnight,yougetupinthemorning,theyre-frayandthatreallydoesnotfeelfavorable.Andthenyougoforyourwalkandyouputonprobablyyoursloppysandalsorwhateveryou'regoingbackoutin,andyoure-tearit,andthenitdoesn'tfeelallthatbadforawhile.Thenitcomesback.That'stheviciouscycle.Ifyouhaveplantarfasciitisyouhavegreatnews.Thegreatnewsisyou'redoingbigger,biggerharmuphigh.So,ifyourfoot'shurtingyouinanyoftheitises:plantarfasciitis,Achillestendonitis,itis,itis,itis.Anythinginyourfeet,ifyourfootisnothappy,you'rereallynotdoingstuffthat'sfavorableuphigh.AndwhenIsayuphigh,everybodyknowssomebodywithkneeandhipreplacements,orallthis.Imeanwe'reallbecomingpartrobots.WehaveIthinkit'soveramillionhipandkneereplacementsrightnow,it'sjustawful.Andyoungpeople,like40-year-oldsaregettinghipreplacements.It's...Lookatwhatpeoplearewalkingin,inourconcretejungle.Putthefootweardiettouse.Thebiggestthingis,youknow,youcouldtrythingsathomeevery...usuallyplantarfasciitisawarenessonlineeverybodytalksaboutstretchingandcalfstretchingasthegastroc,G-A-S-T-R-O-Cisoneofthepopularones.Andyoucandosomeat-homestretchingbutdoitwithalignment.Alignmentstretching.TrytoavoidyoursandalslikeKryptonitebecausesandalsarekryptonitetoplantarfasciitis.Sojustgetthatshearing...ShearingisreallytheKryptonite.So,youwannaeliminatetheshearingbutdon'tbraceoffthemobility.Sothat'sstability,andmobility,andtiming,andsequence,andthat'swherewereallycomeininafavorablemannerformostpeople.So,ALINEandafootweardiet,somedailystretching.Youshouldbeoutoftheweeds...mostpeoplearetheweedsthree,four,fivedaystheystartfeelingenormouslybetterandthat'sawesome.Ifyoustillhaveproblemsafterasimpletriallikethat,youwannafindoutwhat'sgoingon.Whoknows,youmighthaveanoldfootballinjuryorthatold...youknow,youstoodtooclosetothetaxistandorhipinjuryorwhateveryoudid,youmighthavesomescartissueinthere.There’realltheseartisansouttherethatdotheseincrediblethingsforhelpingrangeofmotionintheirlegs.Andalotofpeopleknowtheirphysicaltherapistsor,youknow,there'sartscalledtheActiveReleaseTechnique,there'sGrastontechnique,there'slikealltheseartistsouttherethatreallyhelpgoodrangeofmotion.Becauseifyourcalftoyourheelislikearopeinsteadofbungeecord,yourfootisgonnagetforcedtoshear.EvenonALINEoranyproduct.


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IcanputfairydustonanALINEandpaintitgoldandwishyouthebestluckintheworld,butifyourcalves,andyourlegs,orrangeofmotionisreallythatunfavorable,everytimeyouwalkupaflightofstairsorahill,yourheelisgonnalosecontactwiththefootsuspensionsystem.Andyou'regonnagobacktoshearingandshearingjustopensupthatcanofworms.Soplantarfasciitis,numberonething,getthatalignment,reestablishtherangeofmotion,that'susuallyinthelegofthatalignment.Andthenthefootweardiet,andI'vehadsuchwondrous,wondrousresultswithpeople,ravingfansofhowfasttheyhelpedthatout.Katie:Awesome,andagainthelinktoyourwebsitewillbeintheshownotesatwellnessmama.fm.So,anyonewhowantstoseetheALINEandtheproductsandreadmoreaboutthem,youguyshavesomeblogpostsaswellthatarereallyhelpful,sothosewillbeintheshownotesortheycangodirectlytoyourwebsite.Anddefinitelylikemyhusbandhasthem,I'mgonnabetryingthemalso,andIappreciateyourtimeandbeinghere.AcouplequestionsthatareunrelatedthatIlovetoaskasIwrapup.Oneis,isthereabookthathashadabigimpactonyourlifethatyouwouldrecommendotherpeople?Gordon:Ohgosh.Yes.Probablythebiggestoneforme,Ilove...Iwouldbreakbooksdowntobusinessforme,Ireally,reallygeekouton.Andforlife,Ilovestoriesaroundhistoryandgritandsportsaroundgrit.AndifIwasjustgonnathrowacoupleofbooksouttherethat..."BlueOceanStrategy"it'sbyChanKim,fantastic.It'sreallyaboutfindingnewavenuesandcreatingawarenessinbusiness,andawholenewmarketplace,andavenueofhelpingpeople.Lovethatbook.AndTonyRobbin's"Unshakeable"booktomewasjust,youknow,forfinancialfreedomandunderstandinghowimportantitistoreallyhavejustpurposeinwhateveryoudo.Andjustreallyfocusingonyourbusinesslife.I'maHemingwayfan,Ireallyam,hugeHemingway,andoneofmyfavoriteall-timebooksoflifeisabookcalled"ComeSpring."It'sastoryofthefamily,thesettlerscomingtothestateofMaine.I'mfromMaine,justagoodMainekidthatgrewupinthewoodsmyself.Whilethestrugglesinthe1700s,andhopefullythefamily'sproducedenoughfoodandsurvivalneedstomakeitthroughthatwinterandhopetoseeitcomespring,that'sthetitleofthatbook.Soyep,that's...Booksarefantastic.Katie:Greatrecommendations,Ican'twaittocheckthoseout.Andlastquestion,Ihaveaguessofwhatitcouldbe,butwhatwouldbe...ifyougetsome...onepieceofadviceouttoeveryoneintheworld,whatwoulditbe?Gordon:Gee,doyouthink?Lookatyourfeet,yourlegs,andthewayyoumove.Youknow,andmotionislife,yeahqualitymotionislife.So,makesureyoubrushyourteeth,goseeyourdentist,takecareofyourkids'teethtoo.Butman,thosefeet,youwalkalloverthem,andyouneverreallythinkaboutthemtill,youknow,somethinghurts,oryou'retryingtofindaperformancesolution.Butgosh,thinkaboutyourfeet,andyourkids'feet,andit'sthefirstthingtohitthegroundinthemorning,youwalkalloverthoselittlebuddies,andyoucountonthemtogothedistance.Yeah,mybigwordofadviceistakegoodcareofthembecauseIwannaseeyououtthere.Idon'twannaseeyouwalkingacane,Iwannaseeouttherewalkingadogorgoingforahike.Iwasjustskiingthisspringwithaguy,82yearsold,andhewasskiingdoubleblackdiamondsandbiggestsmileonhisface,andthere'snoreasontonotgetoutthere.Evenourconcreteunnaturalworldtoday,butwow,youknow,there'ssomuchwecando,youknow,you'reatthePaleoevents,andtheBulletproofevents,andtheanti-aging,andeverybody'stryingtosolvetheantitothistolivelonger,doallthesegreatthings.Butman,Ihopeeverybodyrealizesthefirstthingtohitthegroundinthemorning,thoselittlebuddieshaveover100movingbonesandjoints,andlistentothem,takegoodcareofthem.Iwannaseeyououtthere.Katie:Gordon,thankssomuch,that'sgreatadvice.Andthankyouforyourtimeandbeingheretoday,superfascinating,andIreallyappreciateit.


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Gordon:YoutooKatie,bigfun,andwe'lltalksoon.Katie:Soundsgreat.Andthankstoallofyouforlistening,andIhopetoseeyounexttimeon"TheWellnessMamaPodcast."

Ifyou'reenjoyingtheseinterviews,wouldyoupleasetaketwominutestoleavearatingorreviewoniTunesforme?Doingthishelpsmorepeopletofindthepodcast,whichmeansevenmoremomsandfamiliescouldbenefitfromtheinformation.Ireallyappreciateyourtime,andthanksasalwaysforlistening.

episode 202: how footwear affects posture, alignment and …€¦ · feet don't necessarily...

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